salaryRent here is among the highest 10% in the country. Household incomes are higher than in 94% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 7.8 years of household income, so buying is hard for most locals. Most homes (75.2%) are owned, so rentals can be hard to find. It is a highly educated city: 65.2% of adults have a college degree.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $146,680 a year. That is $71 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other California cities?
No. Rent here is more expensive than in most of California. It is number 652 of 653 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Rio del Mar?
Share of households by yearly income. 60.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Rio del Mar
| Size | Rio del Mar | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bedrooms | $3,197 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $3,500+ | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Rio del Mar overall?
Everyday prices in California overall are 11% above the U.S. average (index 110.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024. City-level data is not published for Rio del Mar, so the California figure is shown.
Taxes and bills in Rio del Mar
Life in Rio del Mar
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Rio del Mar?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $5,618 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $1,338,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $133,810 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rio del Mar, CA?
Renting in Rio del Mar costs a median of about $3,667 a month in 2026, including utilities. The California median is $2,357.
How much do I need to make to live in Rio del Mar?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $146,680 a year, or $71 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Rio del Mar cheap or expensive?
Rio del Mar is rated OK: rent takes 25.5% of the typical household income of $172,483. It ranks 652nd cheapest of 653 California cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Rio del Mar?
The median homeowner in Rio del Mar pays $8,403 a year in property taxes, about 0.63% of the median home value.
Is Rio del Mar more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in California are 11% above the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Rio del Mar?
The median home value in Rio del Mar is $1,338,100, about 7.8 times the typical yearly household income.
9,201 people live in Rio del Mar. Numbers are typical (middle) values.